third house

American  

noun

(sometimes initial capital letters)

1. a legislative lobby.

---

third house British  

noun

1. a political lobby for a special interest

---

Etymology

Origin of third house

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

A third house dedicated to live experiences will consist of “For Honor,” “The Crew,” “Riders Republic,” “Brawlhalla,” and “Skull & Bones.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

A third house, an Airbnb rental, is still standing.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

“There are beehives and chickens in every third house, it seems,” said Mathews, 57, a techie by day, bee enthusiast on weekends.

From New York Times • May 24, 2023

Firefighters arrived to find two houses on fire, with the flames beginning to spread to a third house, according to the Loudoun County Fire Department.

From Washington Post • Jul. 31, 2019

Both were mad ideas; she wouldn’t get beyond the third house in the village.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke